Ex-CJ David Maraga mourns Supreme Court judge Mohammed Ibrahim
By Mustafa Juma, December 17, 2025Former Chief Justice David Maraga has joined the nation in mourning the death of Supreme Court Judge Justice Mohammed Ibrahim.
Maraga, in his condolence message issued on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, via his social media accounts, just hours after Justice Ibrahim’s death, described him as a courageous jurist whose legacy will endure in Kenya’s legal and constitutional history.
Maraga further noted that the country had lost a distinguished judge, human rights advocate, and legal pioneer.
“I have learnt with great shock and profound sadness of the demise of my former colleague and Judge of the Supreme Court, Hon. Justice Mohammed Ibrahim. Justice Ibrahim had a stellar legal career that traversed private practice, the civil society and human rights movement, as well as the Bench, where he served until his untimely death this evening,” Maraga’s statement read in part.
Maraga went ahead to note that Ibrahim’s life and career were defined by courage, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to justice.
Inspiring lawyers from marginalised communities
The former CJ, who has since declared his interest in the 2027 presidency, also highlighted how Justice Ibrahim broke barriers and inspired generations of lawyers from marginalised communities when he became the first member of the Somali community to be admitted as an advocate of the High Court.
“Justice Ibrahim was the first member of the Somali community to be admitted as an advocate of the High Court. His advocacy for social justice and human rights led to his detention. Undeterred, Justice Ibrahim joined the Bench in 2003 at the High Court, where his performance led to his elevation to the Supreme Court. At the Supreme Court, Justice Ibrahim was part of innumerable key decisions that have shaped the interpretation of the law and key jurisprudential issues,” Maraga stated.
“I extend my condolences to Justice Ibrahim’s wife and children, his family, the Hon. Chief Justice Martha Koome and my former colleagues at the Supreme Court, the entire Judiciary fraternity, and the Judicial Service Commission, where he served as a member until his demise. I also extend my condolences to the Kenyan people who have lost a courageous judge and committed jurist who served them well.”
Justice Ibrahim’s death
The Judiciary on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, confirmed Justice Ibrahim’s death.
He died after a long illness, marking the end of a distinguished judicial career spanning more than two decades.
He was appointed to the inaugural Supreme Court bench on June 16, 201. He served until his death and was widely respected for his calm demeanour, intellectual depth, and independent reasoning in some of the country’s most consequential cases.